PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick made a token start in Thursday night’s preseason finale at Lincoln Financial Field, serving as the Jets quarterback for just one snap before coach Rex Ryan called timeout and removed him from the game so he could be applauded by the city where his football career was resurrected.

“It was very classy,” Vick said. “You never know what to expect when you’re the opposition. It was very warm. I appreciate it.”

The Eagles’ 37-7 victory over the Jets brought an end to a long preseason. With the regular season beckoning and Geno Smith designated as the starting quarterback, the traditional approach from here on would be for Vick to watch from the sidelines until Smith is either injured or consistently fails to perform in an acceptable manner. If that’s the case, the best case scenario would suggest the Jets never have to use Vick’s talents. That in itself sounds ridiculous.

If Thursday night’s cameo is Vick’s last appearance anytime soon, the Jets aren’t utilizing one of the best weapons on their roster. It’s been said having two quarterbacks is the same as having no quarterback. But that was before the iPad and Twitter and all the other technological advances that were once considered far-fetched. Smith and Vick offer the kind of unique skills and circumstances where tradition doesn’t have to be the norm in this case. Used properly, Smith and Vick could be a valuable 1-2 punch the likes of which has seldom been seen at the quarterback position in the NFL.

This may be too big for Ryan or even offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. Maybe Vick seeing action without it becoming a threat to Smith won’t be explored, because those who endorse the idea would be open to criticism if things go wrong. From here, there’s too much to gain not to figure out a way to get the ball to Vick a half dozen times during a game, beginning with the Raiders on Sept. 7 at MetLife Stadium.

Vick is open to the idea of having his skills utilized.

“Maybe at some point they will be,” he said. “The coaches are creative enough to put guys in position where they can help a football team score points and win games. If it happens, I’m all for it. If it doesn’t, then I’m not going to be upset. I’m just going to stay ready.”

It doesn’t have to be anything exotic; just something that puts the football in Vick’s hands in space so he can use his quickness, speed and his cannon arm. Bringing Vick into a game would be like shifting the offense into overdrive. Or maybe it might just need a jump start.

“You put him on the field and he’s a competing machine,” quarterbacks coach David Lee was saying of Vick recently. “His eyes change and he wants to go. He wants to put it in the end zone every time he gets the ball.”

The Jets need that attitude — not just on the bench, but in the game.

Smith is the starter and the Jets future. That’s understood. But there’s no reason for the Jets to treat Vick like a traditional backup quarterback and keep him on the sidelines holding a clipboard, because he has never been traditional. Neither Ryan nor Mornhinweg can be gun-shy about getting him on the field. To not utilize his talents in some manner would be a waste.

There will be those who suggest Ryan can’t turn to Vick unless he has given up for good on Smith. That’s nonsense. The Jets have two capable quarterbacks. Not just one.

If Smith is having a bad game, which he probably will, Ryan can’t be hesitant to put Vick in and see if he can change the momentum without it meaning Smith has lost his job for good. Put it this way: Vick’s presence should give Smith the security to fail — not make him live in fear of losing his job because of it.